Venetian blind head bar bracket



y 21, 1940- J. NISENSON 2,201,499

VENETIAN BLIND HEAD BAR BRACKET Filed Jan. 17. 1939 INVENTOR wane/17M ATTORNEY Patented May 21, 1946 UNITED s'm'rss PATENT orrlc a Jules Nilcnson, New York, N. Y.,

Unit Venetian Blind Supply 00., N. Y., a corporation of New York allignor to New York,

Application January 17, 1939, Serial No. 251,398

'IClaims.

This invention relates generally to brackets and more particularly to a bracket for supporting the head bar of a Venetian blind.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a novel bracket structure which is completely reversible so that a single form of bracket may be used to support either end of the head bar by merely reversing the position of the bracket.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel structure whereby this improved bracket may be mounted on either of two surfaces abutting the bracket.

Another object of this invention is the provision of single clamping means for detachably securing the head bar in place regardless of the position of the bracket, that is, regardless of whether it is used on the left or right end of the head bar.

A still further object herein is the provision of 2 a Venetian blind head bar bracket which is of substantially two piece construction, and which therefore may be easily and economically manufactured.

Another feature of the invention lies in the ease 25 with which the bracket is installed and the rapidity with which the head bar may be positively secured or detached therefrom.

These objects and further features and advantages will more fully appear in the progress 30 of this disclosure and as pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing forming a part of this disclosure similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views 35 thereof.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention as used to support the left end of a Venetian blind head bar.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but the bracket is shown in reversed position in order to support the right end of the head bar.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the bracket as seen from the right hand side of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4A is a plan view of the plane blank from which the locking member is formed.

Fig. 4B is a plan view of the plane blank from which the body of the bracket is formed.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a bracket and 50 shown in a position wherein it is adapted for use to support the left end of a Venetian blind head bar.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4A, 4B and 5, the bracket I0 is comprised generally of the side plate ll,

55 including legs l2 and I3; head bar supporting lugs I4 and I5, and I6 and II. The side plate II is substantially triangular in shape and the lugs M to II inclusive are all preferably integral with the side plate and bent up perpendicularly therefrom. Situated along the axis 18 and adjacent the outer edge 19 of the side plate i I is an orifice 20 which is utilized in the pivotal mounting of the locking member 2| as will be more fully described below. As may be seen in Fig. 4B, the axis ll divides the body 22 of the bracket ll 1 into two symmetrical halves. I

The blank forming the body 22 is especially designed to permit the same to be stamped out of strip stock, the strip running longitudinally of the blank, at right angle to the axis it. The 1' lugs l4 and 16 have forty five degree angle edges 23 and 24 respectively; and the lugs I5 and II have forty five degree angle edges 25 and 26 respectively for the purpose. of economizing on stock. The edge I! also serves a similar purpose. a The circular indentation or edge 21 facilitates the bending of the lugs I5 and II at an angle to the blank. The inner opposed edges 28 and 20 of the lugs l4 and I5 respectively, and the inner opposed edges 30 and 3| of the lugs i8 and i1 re- 2 spectively, are spaced an amount substantially equal to the width of the locking member 2|. The edges 32 and 33 lying between the lugs ll and i5, and I8, II respectively are coaxial with the bending lines or axes 34 and 35. so

The locking member 2| is preferably fabricated from strip stock of a width equal to the width of the finished locking member. The blank shape of the locking member before bending is seen in Fig. 4A. The locking member 2! comprises a 35 v body 36 having a longitudinally directed slot 31 including slot ends 38 and 39; an operating tab 40 and a head bar engaging lug ll. In the completely fabricated locking member the tab 40 and the lug M are bent up at right angles to the body as along the lines 42 and 43.

The locking member 2| is slidably and pivotally maintained in operative connection with the body 22 of the bracket by means of a rivet M which penetrates the slot 31 and the orifice 20. A known spring washer 45 of any suitable type maintains the locking member in any desired displaced position as the locking member 2! is shifted along its own longitudinal axis by reason of the cooperation of the slot 31 and the rivet 44.

The distance between the slot-end 38 and the upper surface of the head bar engaging lug 4| is such that when the rivet engages the slot-end 38, the upper surface of the lug ll is disposedinwardly of or below the lugs ll to II inclusive.

' so that it may occupy either the position shown in full linesin Fig. 3 or the position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 3. Since when the lug 4| is below the lugs H to II inclusive, the rotation of the locking member 2| is relatively uninhibited, detents 46 and 41 are provided to limit this rotary motion. The detents 46 and 41 are suitably provided by forming up semi-domes from the side plate The side plate II is preferably provided with a plurality of holes 46, 49 and 50. The holes 46 and 50 are preferably on a line parallel with the edge I9 while the hole 49 is preferably disposed along the axis I8. Hole 49 is so situated upon axis It so that a line drawn through the centers of the holes 46, 49 and 50 will form an angle of more or less than 90. This positioning of hole 49 is desirable so that when the bracket is affixed to a wooden upright, the tendency of the wood to split is reduced.

The lugs l4, I5, 6 and I! are preferably each provided with holes 5|, 52, 53 and 54 respectively.

As has been stated before, it may thus be seen that the leg I2 including its associated parts and orifices is symmetrical with relation to the leg l3 and its associated parts and orifices, and that this symmetry occurs at either side of the axis I6.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, a door or window frame has vertical portions 62 and a horizontal portion 62' which face the ends and top respectively, of the Venetian blind head bar 63. Numeral 64 indicates a wall, or window or door casement having a front surface which faces the rear side of the head bar 63. A slat tilt bar 65 is supported from the end surface of head bar 63 by any suitable means such as brackets 66, and the tilt bar in turn supports slat carrying tapes 61. The slat tilt bar and its related structure is not shown or described in any particular detail because the head bar 63 may be used to support any known slat tilting or elevating mechanism and the present application is directed to the head bar supporting bracket.

Turning to Fig. 1 where the bracket I is used to support the left end 68, of the head bar 63, leg I2 is placed uppermost, that is to say with the axis 34 in a horizontal position, while leg I3 which lies in a lower position and to the rear, that is to say with the axis 35 in a vertical position. The smooth side of the bracket I0 is placed against the vertical portion 32 with the legs I4 and I placed sufficiently from the end surface of the horizontal portion 62 to allow the head bar 63 to be placed there-between. It then becomes a matter of choice with the person installing the bracket as to which of the holes 48, 49, 50, 53, and 54, shall be penetrated by screws to thereby support and attach the bracket. Factors which will effect this choice will be: the total weight of the Venetian blind carried by the head bar; whether or not there are, in the particular installation, surfaces corresponding to the portions 62, 62' or the surfaces connected by numeral 64; and what is the particular character of said surfaces.

It may thus be seen that this improved bracket is readily adapted to meet themany different conditions which arise in various types of installations. It is obvious that various types of screws or nails may be used to secure the bracket in place, such as wood screws, machine screws (in tapped orifices), or self-tapping screws. While round headed screws are shown as used with the straight sided holes illustrated, where desired flat headed screws may be used and the various attaching holes may be countersunk.

When the bracket II is placed in the position Just described, the lugs I4 and II support the head-bar end 33 in conjunction with the upper portion of the body 36 of the locking member 2|.

when thebracket I0 is used in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, that is to say, in a position to support the left end 63 of the head bar 33, the locking member 2| is moved to the position illustrated in the full lines in Fig. 3. By raising the head bar engaging lug 4| to a point above the upper surface of the head bar 63, the head bar may be slid into position resting upon the lugs I4 and I6. The operating tab 40 is then pulled downwardly and the lug 4| engages a longitudinal groove I00 in the center of the upper surface of the head bar 63. This groove I00 is the same groove which is ordinarily now found in Venetian blind head bars in accordance with present practice.

The seating of the lug 4| in the groove I00 securely prevents the lateral movement of the head bar 63. It may be noted at this point that this operation of seating the head bar engaging lug 4| is performed without the aid of any auxiliary L tools or without the need of any special skill.

The groove I00 is of approximately'the same width as the width of the lug 4| so that there is only very slight play at the most between the head bar 63 and the lug 4|. The longitudinal side edges of the body 36 of the locking member 2| are engaged by edges 28 and 29 so that the lug 4| is prevented from shifting laterally of the head bar 63. The distance between the slot-end 39 and the lug H is such that the locking member 2| may be suinciently elevated to allow a head bar of standard thickness to pass between the under surface of the lug 4| and the upper surface of the lugs l4 and I5. As may be readily understood the length of the slot 31 may be varied to accommodate various head bar thicknesses.

Turning to Fig. 2, the bracket I0 is shown as used to support the right end 69 of the head bar 63. Here leg I3 is placed uppermost, with the axis 35 in a horizontal position, while the leg I2 lies below and to the rear, with the axis 34 in a vertical position. The bracket I0 now functions exactly as it does when used to support the left end 68 of the head bar. It is only necessary to pull the operating tab 40 and to swing the locking member 2| around so that it may be in a position shown in the dot-dash lines on Fig. 3. The various parts are reversed, however. Lugs I6 and I! now support the end surface of the head bar end 69 in conjunction with the upper portion of the body 36, and the lug 4|.

Where it is desired to permanently install the head bar 63, it is possible to pass screws through the holes 5| and 52 into the end 68; or through the holes 53 and 54 into the end 69.

It may now be seen that there has been provided an improved Venetian blind head bar supporting bracket which satisfies the objects set forth hereinabove. Only a single type of bracket need be fabricated and this bracket is readily adaptable for use in supporting either end of a Venetian blind head bar. The bracket includes only a relatively small number of parts which are cheaply and easily fabricated and the construction fabricated of light weight materials, offers adequate strength for the purposes it must accomplish.

' The foregoing description has been made rather detailed for clearness of understanding only,

and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. A completely reversible unitary Venetian blind head bar supporting bracket including: a bracket body; locking means permanently slidably and pivotally connected to the bracket body and adapted to attach the head bar to the bracket.

2. A Venetian blind head bar supporting bracket for use with a grooved head bar including: a bracket body; a first lug on one edge of said body; a second lug on a second edge of said body; locking means pivotally connected to said body and adapted in alternative positions thereof to secure said head bar to either of said lugs by engaging the groove in said head bar.

3. A Venetian blind head bar supporting bracket for use with a grooved head bar including: a bracket body; a first lug on one edge of said body; a second lug on a second edge of said body; locking means slidably and pivotally connected to said body and adapted in alternative positions thereof to secure said head bar to either of said lugs by engaging the groove in said head bar.

4. A Venetian blind head bar supporting bracket including: a bracket body; a first pair of spaced lugs on one edge of said body; a second pair of spaced lugs at a second edge of said body; locking means pivotally connected to said body and adapted in alternative positions thereof to project between either of the pairs of spaced lugs and to secure said head bar to either of the said pairs of lugs.

5. A Venetian blind head bar supporting bracket including: a bracket body; a first pair of spaced lugs on one edge of said body; a second pair of spaced lugs at a second edge of said body; locking means slidably and pivotally connected to said body and adapted in alternative positions thereof to project between either of the pairs of spaced lugs and to secure said head bar to either of the said pairs of lugs.

6. A Venetian blind head bar supporting bracket including: a bracket body; a first pair of spaced lugs on one edge of said body; a second pair of spaced lugs at a second edge of said body; retaining means disposed on said body at a point substantially at the intersection of imaginary perpendiculars erected from the outer surfaces of the first and second pairs of lugs and passing between the lugs in each pair; and locking means pivotally connected to said retaining means and adapted in alternative positions thereof to project between either of the pairs of spaced lugs and to secure said head bar to either of the said pairs of lugs.

'7. A Venetian blind head bar supporting bracket including: a bracket body; a first pairof spaced lugs on one edge of said body; a second pair of spaced lugs at a second edge of said body; retaining 'means disposed on said body at a point substantially at the intersection of imaginary perpendiculars erected from the outer surfaces of the first and second pairs of lugs and passing between the lugs in each pair; and locking means slidably and pivotally connected to said retaining means and adapted in alternative positions thereof to project between either of the pairs of spaced lugs and to secure said head bar to either of the 35 said pairs of lugs.

JU'LES NISENSON. 

